Wasco, CA Demographics

A map of Wasco's Population by Race

Wasco, California has an estimated population of 26,558, a slight decrease from the 27,047 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 87.4% Hispanic, 6.7% White, 4.2% Black, 0.7% Multiracial, 0.5% Asian, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Wasco, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Wasco has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than California overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Wasco, that probability was 27.2% in 2020 and 23.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Wasco is ranked the 288th most populous place in California, out of 1,618 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Wasco was ranked the 284th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Wasco's White Population

1,780 residents of Wasco, or 6.7% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Wasco is significantly lower than in California overall, where 33.8% of the population is White. Wasco ranks 1468th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wasco's White population has declined by an estimated 20.5%. White residents' share of Wasco's population has decreased from 8.3% to 6.7%.

Wasco is more White than neighboring Smith Corner (0% White), and Mexican Colony (4.1% White). Wasco is less White than neighboring McFarland (9.3% White), Cherokee Strip (70.3% White), and Stebbins (33.3% White).

Wasco's Black Population

1,111 residents of Wasco, or 4.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Wasco is comparable to the share in California overall, where 5.2% of the population is Black. Wasco ranks 193rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wasco's Black population has declined by an estimated 22.2%. Black residents' share of Wasco's population has decreased from 5.3% to 4.2%.

Wasco is more Black than neighboring Smith Corner (0% Black), McFarland (0.5% Black), Mexican Colony (0% Black), Cherokee Strip (0% Black), and Stebbins (1.4% Black).

Wasco's Asian Population

143 residents of Wasco, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Wasco is considerably lower than in California overall, where 15.3% of the population is Asian. Wasco ranks 1324th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wasco's Asian population has grown by an estimated 6.7%. Asian residents' share of Wasco's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Wasco is more Asian than neighboring Smith Corner (0% Asian), Mexican Colony (0% Asian), Cherokee Strip (0% Asian), and Stebbins (0% Asian). Wasco is less Asian than neighboring McFarland (0.7% Asian).

Wasco's Hispanic Population

23,206 residents of Wasco, or 87.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Wasco is significantly higher than in California overall, where 40.2% of the population is Hispanic. Wasco ranks 122nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wasco's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 1.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Wasco's population has increased from 84.7% to 87.4%.

Wasco is more Hispanic than neighboring Cherokee Strip (29.7% Hispanic), and Stebbins (62.6% Hispanic). Wasco is less Hispanic than neighboring Smith Corner (98.2% Hispanic), McFarland (87.7% Hispanic), and Mexican Colony (95.9% Hispanic).

Wasco's Native American/Other Population

135 residents of Wasco, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Wasco is comparable to the share in California overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Wasco ranks 1433rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wasco's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 4.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Wasco's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Wasco is more Native American/Other than neighboring Mexican Colony (0% Native American/Other), Cherokee Strip (0% Native American/Other), and Stebbins (0% Native American/Other). Wasco is less Native American/Other than neighboring Smith Corner (1.8% Native American/Other), and McFarland (1.1% Native American/Other).

Wasco's Multiracial Population

183 residents of Wasco, or 0.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Wasco is slightly lower than in California overall, where 4.4% of the population is Multiracial. Wasco ranks 1513th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,618 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Wasco's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 6.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Wasco's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.7%.

Wasco is more Multiracial than neighboring Smith Corner (0% Multiracial), Mexican Colony (0% Multiracial), and Cherokee Strip (0% Multiracial). Wasco is less Multiracial than neighboring Stebbins (2.7% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.